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The most sensible way as a business owner in Singapore to protect your brand is to apply for a trademark registration at IPOS. This way, you can confidently build your company’s image with a peace of mind knowing that the civil and intellectual property laws of the country will protect you.

Having a trademark for your business is important to secure brand protection. Small-scale businesses often make the mistake of being complacent about what competition is willing to do to attract customers, so it is not unusual for other companies to take advantage of a product’s popularity by copying it. If you need assistance on your Singapore trademark registration, we recommend Brandmark for filing your emblem.

To give you an idea of the difference a registered mark can make, here is a list of its advantages and disadvantages.

• If you create a TM, you also essentially create a unique identity for your company that will make you stand out from your competition. Ever heard of the term brand loyalty? There are customers who will only look for the brand name they trust whenever they purchase. This good reputation comes from positive experience and feedback of the products and/or services associated with that brand. But there are a lot of fakes in the market nowadays, and the only way to tell the real ones is through the trademark.

• Your company does not need to re-brand if it has infringed on an existing registered trademark. Your company does not need to prove that it is authentic and that it owns the trademark because the state recognizes it. Even those companies that are still trying to build their brand can learn a thing or two by doing a trade mark search to avoid infringing on other registered marks.

• A trademark is only protected in certain countries or territories. For example, if you apply in Singapore, it will only be protected in the country. To afford that protection in other countries, you must first register in the country of origin then apply for international registration via Madrid Protocol.

• A trademark should be used for at least five continuous years to enjoy protection. You don’t have to worry about how to renew trademark or how to pay the trademark renewal fee annually. There’s no need to reissue a new certificate for your Singapore business every year as the certificate is valid for ten years and is renewable, however, as long as the brand is still used.

• Your trademark is also protected from being used for other activities without your approval. Not only will it deter competitors selling the same products and/or services, but you can also control how your company’s name is used or advertised, even online.

• If your trademark application is approved, your brand is secure from copycats and impostors. This means that if there is a violation, your company can sue for damages. The burden of proof will be on the unregistered trademark, not on you. This also applies internationally if your company has applied for protection of the trademark via the Madrid Protocol. Companies that wish to expand or export should consider this to avoid brand theft.

• The trademark will only protect the goods and/services you have listed under it for a certain period. But as long as you have fulfilled all the requirements and have anticipated with products and/or services your company wishes to expand into, this is a minor problem.

• Have the best logo designer create a distinct symbol for your Singapore brand and consider it an investment. This helps make your trademark more secure than it already is. A logo design allows your customers to easily recognize your brand visually. Some creative companies also offer you a unique emblem sketch.

• If your application to register trademark is approved, competition will be deterred from using your brand, copying it, or using a confusingly similar logo or design on their products. It is a common tactic in the market nowadays to make nearly-similar products and paste on the brand or logo of the original product. Commonplace products are the usual victims of this, especially when there are copycats in the international market. It not only hurts profits, but it can also tarnish the name of the original company that owns the trademark.

• The cost of filing a trademark is based on the number and classification of the goods and/or services sold or rendered under the brand. If your company also decides to change it, you will need a new trademark registration.

• If you have a brand name registry, your company has a name to build on. You will be motivated to maintain excellent brand consistency because it is your most valuable asset. The brand represents your company’s strengths and place in the market. It is how your customers and potential customers will distinguish you from others. Customers are more likely to trust companies that assure quality in their goods and/services. You can, however, sell, license and designate your company’s brand name to approved parties if you want other potential revenue sources.

If you’ve ever worked with a freight forwarding services agency in Singapore before (or if you’re affiliated with a freight forwarding agency in Singapore yourself), chances are that you’ve heard of the various freight costs involved when it comes to using sea freight.

Part of these costs are the various factors that go into the shipping process, such as packing, documentation, and unloading, as well as the necessary transportation insurance.

For example, these factors include the freight (which can either be paid in advance or upon delivery of the cargo), the charge, and the surcharge (the added charges on top of the base rate for the various requirements needed for the shipping).

Here are some of the different types of fees and charges you will most likely encounter in an ordinary ocean invoice, if you happen to be using sea freight for bulk cargo transportation:

Base Rate

Whether it’s local merchandise export agent or an international freight forwarding service based from Singapore, shipping companies establish varying rates that account for the dimensions and nature of the shipment or cargo. Different weight, size, type (fragile, volatile, etc.), load handling and destination distance have its corresponding rates.

Different shipping companies can have various flat (or base) rates. These rates are based on whether they need to carry any extra volume of cargo along specific routes at sea. These charges may be cheaper or more expensive along these routes at certain times of the year.

Your chosen logistics company will also adjust to this flat rate depending on the chosen shipping companies and the routes taken, so be sure to discuss this in advance.

Surcharge for Peak Season

While this fee may vary wildly for different shipping companies, sizeable increases in transportation traffic coming from Eastern to Western countries can usually be seen between July and November. These spikes in maritime traffic can rise and fall depending on the demand of certain goods all over the world. These times are known as “peak season”.

Because of this, many of these shipping companies will often impose this surcharge on shipments from certain regions. These companies will even extend the peak season if they feel the need to adjust costs in order to accommodate the increased number of cargo bookings.

Origin Documentation Fee

This is the fee applied by carriers when you transfer goods by ship to or from Singapore, in order to balance the cost of various factors when it comes to documentation (i.e. staffing, equipment, and system database). If the shipping instruction is not given to the sea freight carrier on time, the origin documentation fee will appear on the bill of lading.

Even if the SI has been transmitted, but a request was made to cancel the cargo booking after the stated deadline, the ODF fee still applies, which makes timely data transmission to the carrier crucial in this regard.

Security Fee

The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) is essentially a set of policies and protocols enacted to enhance maritime security, as well as security on ships, docks, and ports. This is a measure that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore implements and closely follows.

Carrier companies compliant to the ISPS will often charge this fee on the customer for the handling of the cargo, as well as the personnel and equipment needed, in order to keep the cargo secure. The charge is applied on all shipments for every cargo container.

Origin Terminal Handling Charge

The shipping company collects this fee in order to cover the handling costs for the containers, which will then be processed through any and all port terminals as defined by set policies and protocols.

The shipping company then proceeds to pay this surcharge to the terminal operator. Just as the handling costs differ according to the port of arrival, these charges can vary from country to country.

This is why it’s important that all parties involved in the transaction and shipment must determine who will pay for all or part of the terminal charges when the delivery or pickup of goods will be at a container terminal.

Surcharge for Manifest

Every shipping company must provide carrier-based shipment information to the correct destination customs authorities in advance in order to verify the dimensions and type of the cargo in question.

This cost is then added to comply with existing regulations. More shipping lines will then proceed to add this charge based on these varying requirements by various countries.

Chassis Charge

Many ocean liners may no longer offer dedicated chassis services for cargo containers whether it’s import or export. This is where drayage companies (companies that are in charge of transporting the bulk goods from sea freight or air freight by short distances on land) are chartered by logistics services.

Rate Renewal Initiative

The rate renewal essentially increases the rates for cargo containers in order for them to reach the needed compensatory amounts. These increases vary by shipping line and destinations, which in turn can also affect the rates of international logistics services offered by Singapore logistics companies to compensate for various factors, such as having a warehouse for an excellent place for storage.

Conclusion

While many clients, shipping companies and even freight forwarder services are aware of the base rates and shipment charges, many tend to be unaware of the increases in surcharge.

The same can even be said when it comes to air freight. The only difference with air freight is that the cargo in question tends to be for smaller, lighter, and more fragile types, or even certain types or cargo that have a relatively short shelf life, which makes it more expensive for a logistics company to book.

When it comes to booking cargo with a freight forwarder, be sure to consult with your chosen representative regarding the surcharges that may be incurred as well as your given budget. This way, you will have the needed know-how on the prices and fees for the shipment to proceed, which you can then work around to your advantage.

Readjusting everyday activities can be challenging for heart disease patients. You may doubt about doing anything: Should I eat this chicken sandwich? Can I play with the dogs? Can I go back to work? And among these questions is, “Will my heart disease affect my sex life?” or “Is it safe for me to have sex?”

Fortunately, according to health experts, sex is actually no harder than climbing a couple of staircases or brisk walking four to five blocks. As a matter of fact, patients get the go signal from their cardiologist a few weeks after they have completed the treatment.

Still, the health condition makes people feel afraid to resume to being intimate with their partners. But if you keep these heath tips in mind, you can go back to snuggling again in no time.

1. Get screened
Get checked by a good cardiac doctor for treating heart disease in a reputable clinic based from Singapore. Ask your heart doctor to perform a stress test, or also called the treadmill test. You will be asked to work out on an equipment like a treadmill or a stationary bike, while your specialist examines the performance of your cardiovascular system with the aim to detect early signs of heart problems.

• You will know firsthand how much physical activity you can do
• If your partner accompanies you to the screening, they will see for themselves how much activity you can do and be aware of your physical strength.
• Your doctor can determine whether you should be prescribed with some type of cardio rehab, which can double as fitness check for more strenuous activities, or require further heart screening tests.

2. Don’t ignore chest pains
Episodes of chest pains a few minutes or hours after an intercourse are a common symptom experienced by people with coronary artery disease. However, attacks after intercourse accounts to no more than five percent of all cases of heart attacks. It is an extremely rare case for patients with heart disease who can routinely exercise without feeling any chest discomfort.

But just to be safe, let your doctor know about any chest discomfort you have experienced after performing any strenuous physical activity.

3. Get romantic at the comforts of your home
After a heart treatment is not the best time to get experimental. First off, it is not advisable to have sex in a place you are not used to. And if you are not married yet or in a monogamous relationship, try sticking with the same partner. Being in a new place or with a new partner can only add more stress.

Also, avoid drinking alcohol or having heavy meal beforehand. Both can affect your heart activity and blood flow. If you think you need to take some drugs for erectile dysfunction, make sure to ask your cardiologist. Taking nitrates to control chest pains and tadalafil (Cialis) or sildenafil (Viagra) at the same time can be fatal. So, as a rule of thumb: never take any drug without your doctor’s approval.

4. Relax and just take it slow
Don’t worry too much. The chances of possible heart attack while having sex are pretty low. If you are unsure how much action you can endure, start out slow. Caressing and cuddling may be a safer way to start. Feel your heart beat and listen to your body. As long as there are no symptoms, progress slowly.

5. Use intimacy as de-stressor
Sex is natural, and it is an important part of a romantic relationship. Studies even show that lack of intimacy can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. When you get intimate with your partner, you focus all your attention and energy to one person, which is one of the ways the act lowers your stress levels. For heart patients who can handle mild exercises and doesn’t feel pain while doing so, sexual activity is definitely safe for them.

6. Be honest to your doctor
Most heart patients feel shy about asking when they can start being intimate again with their partners, and many doctors as well do not freely give that information. However, we suggest taking advantage of the chance and ask your specialist from Singapore while you are still in the clinic to screen for heart conditions. Just because your cardiologist does not open up anything about sex after being diagnosed with hypertension doesn’t mean you are not yet allowed to be intimate with your spouse again. Have the courage to open up the subject with your heart doctor. If having sex is part of your norm, then all the more you need to inquire about it.

7. It’s normal to be not in the mood
After a heart treatment, it is normal to feel cautious and to experience low sex drive. As long as you have the approval of your cardiologist, you can start working on regaining your desire slowly. If it has been long enough and you still can’t get back on track, discuss this with your heart specialist. Depression is a common underlying cause of low sex drive after a heart treatment. If you are diagnosed by such, your heart doctor may recommend a good cardiology center in Singapore or recommend counselling to help re-establish a fulfilling love life.

Sex is normal, and it is safe for the majority of patients diagnosed with heart disease, but experts advise that you still have to get heart screening tests, especially after a cardiac event. People with higher risks, such as those with high blood pressure, advanced heart failure, unstable angina and other health conditions should minimize or even avoid sexual intercourse until they are adequately treated.

Make sure to work through the emotional challenges brought by your heart condition. Work hand-hand-in-hand with your partner to maintain healthy intimacy even after your heart treatment. Good communication—with your best cardiologist and your spouse—is the key here.

An air conditioning system can take about ten to twenty years before it needs to be replaced, but this lifespan is dependent on how often it gets aircon maintenance from an aircon servicing crew in Singapore. This is especially true with air conditioning systems for commercial and industrial buildings, but even residential aircon units are prone to the same problems.

The best aircon servicing company in Singapore understands how these units work and are willing to send technicians for repairs, maintenance, and inspection. Here are some of the commonly asked questions you might encounter about air conditioning.

What are the common problems in air conditioning?

Some of the most common air conditioner problems encountered by aircon repair companies are refrigerant leaks, worn-out compressor, faulty fan controls, sensor issues, drainage problems, and poor overall maintenance. Most of these problems can be addressed without having to spend too much on aircon servicing if stick to a scheduled aircon maintenance. Minor problems will be solved as early as possible and the aircon technician can also recommend steps to extend the unit’s lifespan.

How do I diagnose the problem?

Aircon problems are quite easy to detect if you know what signs to look for. First, check the quality of the air produced by the unit. Is it slightly warmer in other parts of the room? Are there strange sounds and odors coming from the unit? Does the thermostat work properly? Does the fan work if you turn it on? Do you see any leaks in the unit? Has the aircon been inspected in the last six months? If you suspect there is a problem with your aircon, call the nearest aircon maintenance company for a checkup.

What are the factors to consider when installing an aircon?

Call a reputable aircon servicing crew if you need a new aircon unit installed. Most of the problems listed above can be minimized with proper installation, because factors such as exterior installation, the position of the unit, the area of the room that needs to be cooled, and the number of hour the unit has to be used.

How do I determine if the aircon needs repair?

If your air conditioning unit has stopped working or is not working properly, you should check if there is a display on the thermostat and see if the blower is working by turning on the fan. There could also be a problem in the condenser or the source of the power, so make sure that the aircon is getting enough power or the fuses have not been tripped. If you don’t have any experience with handling the air conditioner or the power source, turn off the aircon and call the nearest aircon repair shop in Singapore for an inspection.

What is HVAC?

It stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, the collective name for a system used in large buildings that provide both heating and cooling. In some buildings, the two systems operate separately using several different equipment. You will often hear this term for most commercial and industrial buildings in Singapore such as offices, hotels, and residential complexes that need both air conditioning and water heating services.

How often should aircon maintenance be performed?

Ideally, residential type air-conditioners should be checked by a professional at least once a year, but clogged air filter must be cleaned once a week or once every two weeks. Aircon maintenance should be done even if there are no obvious problems with the AC unit. For commercial and industrial buildings in Singapore, it is recommended to upkeep air cooling systems at least twice a year by an AC servicing personnel. These pros have the right tools and experience to properly clean and maintain your unit, as well as detect any small issue that can potentially turn into a costlier damage.

When should the aircon be replaced?

An air conditioner than is ten years or older might have to be replaced if it needs more repair than usual, it is eating up more energy than it used to, there is a refrigerant leak, and if you can’t afford the aircon repair bills anymore.

How often should I replace the filter?

The air filter should be cleaned regularly or replaced after several months to make sure that the quality of the cool air is maintained. Read the user’s manual that came with your air conditioner to determine the best size. Each filter also comes with a unit of measurement that indicates its effectivity. This is indicated by the word MERV or minimum efficiency reporting value.

The higher the number, the more effective the filter is. The air filter can be washable, pleaded, electronic or made from fiberglass. Your trusted aircon maintenance technician can also recommend which filter you should use and it would be better to let a professional handle the cleaning and replacement.

Why does the aircon keep freezing up?

This is a common problem in most aircon units and can be caused by any of the following factors: low refrigerant level, dirty or clogged air filter, closed vents, blocked or dirty evaporator coils, dirty or broken fan, and incorrect thermostat settings. If cleaning the filter and resetting the thermostat does not improve the quality of the cool air from the aircon, turn off the unit and call the nearest aircon servicing company in Singapore for an evaluation. Do not turn it on again because you could damage the compressor if the unit is not working properly.

How do I know if there are leaks?

Aircon units sometimes leak, but the amount of the leak and where it is coming from can indicate that the unit has a problem. Leaks can be caused by faulty installation, low refrigerant levels, clogged condensate line, dirt evaporator coil, rusting condensate pan, and dirty air filter.

Moving to a different place, be it for a short term or long term, can be a daunting task. There are so many things you will need to consider, like the type of accommodation you’ll want to make, your busy schedule, the busy schedule of the people who are coming with you, and of course, the cost of it all. Finding a place in a place that you are not familiar with can be a scary experience. However, finding a place in Vietnam doesn’t have to be so scary. If you’re planning on an apartment rental in Ho Chi Minh City, there are many ways for you to save money. Whether you choose to find an apartment rental in D2 or rent a place in D3, these tips can help you save your money when you rent apartment at HCMC.

1. Consider what you want

Whether you choose to rent a house or find a villa rental in Ho Chi Minh, you’re going to be faced with a lot of choices. But first, you’re going to need to know what you’re looking for in an apartment rental in Ho Chi Minh City. Of course, you will need to consider the interior of your apartment, like a spacious layout or good lighting. However, you shouldn’t neglect the exterior as well; these things could include what you want to have around your neighborhood, such as quiet streets or friendly neighbors.

Try listing down all the things that you feel are important to you, as well as to the other people that you will be renting the place with if there are any. You should be able to compromise between the things that you absolutely need when you’re looking for a place to rent apartment in HCMC. Of course, while making this list, it pays to be practical about your expectations; you should always consider your budget. If your budget isn’t too large, you can’t realistically expect a large condominium rental in district 1, D1, for example, unless you stumble upon a lucky find.

2. Befriend the locals

Making friends with locals can have a lot of benefits when you rent apartment at Ho Chi Minh Vietnam since they are your best sources for more affordable deals. Aside from making sure that they are willing and have the time to help you on your hunt to an apartment rental in Ho Chi Minh City, you will also need to make sure that they know the city well and can speak the language fluently. They can be your guide and ally when looking for a place to stay in, whether you’re looking to rent a house or opt for a villa rental.

You could go to one of the many parks nearby, chat with the people at your office, or go to one of the popular bars in Ho Chi Minh. If you’re not the drinking type, you could always hop to one of the many cafes in Vietnam and chat up the friendly locals. Mix and mingle with the people around you, and chances are you might just stumble upon a great deal, plus get a life-long friend as well.

3. Go online

While a travel agency can help you rent apartment in Saigon, with a bit of wit and a few tricks, you could get a much cheaper deal if you do the negotiations yourself. A travel agency can help you find a place to stay in on your behalf, but that also comes with a price. If you feel brave enough, you can choose to find your own place, and create agreements with the property owner all on your own.

To substitute for a travel agency, there are many websites that can guide you towards your new place in Saigon. Websites such as vinhomes central park apartment rental in Vietnam can provide you listings of apartments, condos and even villas for rent. Be diligent, look past the first few pages, and you’ll be on your way to a Saigon apartment rental.

4. Learn Vietnamese

If you have opened the websites mentioned above, you would notice that you would be able to navigate it easier if you knew a bit of Vietnamese. You don’t have to be completely fluent in the language; all you need are the basics to raise your chances of finding cheaper deals.

If you’re having trouble learning another language, or you’re a bit short on time, you could always bring one of your newfound local friends to translate for you. This is especially important if you’re meeting face-to-face with homeowners, to make sure that there isn’t any terrible miscommunication due to language barriers. You wouldn’t want to be stuck in an arrangement you don’t like while trying to rent apartment in Saigon.

5. Sign a contract

A contract can be one of the most important things that you will need to look for when looking for a Saigon apartment rental. Remember that the longer the contract, the chances of you saving also grows; if you can commit to a long-term contract, you can save more money. Landlords often offer contracts that last for twelve, six, or three months. The longer you stay, the less you’ll have to pay in the long run.

6. Rent a room

Of course, if renting house or staying in a villa isn’t your style, you could always opt to rent just a room, or better yet, a hostel bed. This can greatly reduce your costs, as you’re paying for a much smaller space. There are many places where you can find rooms like this, most of them printed on paper and posted outside houses. Another great way to find rooms likes these are by word of mouth, by asking around for affordable rooms. Who knows; with the right contacts, you may even find a great place to stay at D7!

One of the most basic instructions when caring for clothes is to use the correct washing, drying, and ironing method to avoid shrinking or expanding the fabric. Not only will this allow you to save money by making your clothes last longer, but you will also look your best because even a cheap shirt can look great when cared for properly.

Read the Care Label Instructions

Not only do the care labels contain instructions for washing and bleaching options, but they also include drying, ironing, dry cleaning, ironing, and steaming instructions. If you’re opting for a laundry pick up and laundry delivery service, you can leave instructions for the staff especially if you have an expensive piece that needs cleaning. Most laundry service staff, however, will make it a point to inspect your clothes and linens when sorting the items. Your 24 hours laundry service will also remind you which clothes can be washed, dry-cleaned, dry clean only, or spot-clean only in case you’re sending items that need special care.

Choosing Between Air-Dry and Tumble Dry

Drying can potentially set any remaining stain permanently on the fabrics; that is why before sending your clothes to a fast laundry service in Singapore make sure to inspect the items for stains. Using the tumble dryer isn’t also ideal for clothes that are prone to wrinkling such as uniform laundry and wool, while delicate materials such as silk can shrink when exposed to high temperatures. Delicate fabrics should be air-dried but not exposed directly to sunlight.

Some fabric blends are ideal for tumble-drying, but make sure to follow these pointers:

• Use low heat when tumble-drying acrylic, but take the clothes out before they’re fully dry.
• Cotton can shrink, but pre-shrunk cotton is mostly safe, as well as some cotton blends such as most materials used in uniform laundry. When towel washing, take out the item before it’s completely dry to avoid damaging it.
• Linen can shrink and will also leave permanent creases when over-dried.
• Microfiber can be tumble-dried, but use the coolest setting possible.
• Nylon can be placed in the dryer, but use the lowest heat setting and place the item in a washing bag.
• Polyester is also used in most uniform laundry and can be safely dried in a low heat cycle.
• Spandex should be air-dried instead of machine-dried.
• Wool can shrink when exposed to heat. Lay the item on a flat surface to dry it.
• Silk, rayon, lace, and embellished clothes should not be tumble-dried. These fabrics are ideal only for wash and fold services.

How does the laundry service shop dry my clothes if some of them should be air dried? Cool or delicate cycle is used by the laundry service for hand-wash only items such as lingerie and woolens, while fabrics that are prone to shrinkage are dried using the warm or permanent press cycle.

For the rest of your clothes, the commercial laundry services will use the warm, hot or regular wash cycle. Permanent press is ideal for uniform laundry while the regular cycle is used for jeans and towel washing. As for dry cleaning services, the dry cleaning machine usually includes a drying process that will evaporate the dry cleaning solvent from the fabric.

Vung Tau is known as an international tourist province that hosts gorgeous beaches and colonial architecture, and is currently one of the biggest foreign investment attractions in all of Vietnam with a lot of prime property investment opportunities just waiting for you to get your hands on them.

After all, the promise of a rather balanced risk-reward profile of real estate is what makes it all lucrative. Because of this and the recent rise of real estate in Vietnam, more investors are now pouring in to take advantage of this.

But why exactly should you invest in a Vung Tau condo or a villa beside golf course, and not just in the other apartments already in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City that are less than ten minutes away from the nightlife and fine dining?

The answer: the newly-unveiled Kahuna Ho Tram Strip. As of this moment, Kahuna ho tram resort at Vietnam is sitting as the one of the fastest growing areas of the country in terms of real estate development, especially for those who want to look to invest in condo units.

Kahuna Ho Tram

Nestled right next to Ho Tram beach and designed to resemble a luxury liner taking her maiden voyage, the condotel has one hundred and sixty four available units in its twelves stories. Kahuna also boasts forty-four single- and double-key villas, each one more gorgeous than the last.

Other than offering all kinds of shops, restaurants, bars, and other facilities for recreation and entertainment, both the resort and the strip are also just a two-hour ride from the country’s capital, Ho Chi Minh City.
With this, there’s no need to miss out on the nightlife at all.

Why You Should Invest in Kahuna Ho Tram

If you’re looking for a perfect opportunity for holiday resort investment, there is no piece of high-class real estate that you can put your capital in quite like Kahuna Ho Tram. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Because the condotel property faces the sea, you get to enjoy the first moments of the early sunrise from luxury of your Vung Tao condo in Vietnam. You also get a good view of the sunset every day.

2. The Kahuna Ho Tram Resort is built around a plan that lets you get to the beach easily. You should also check out the resort’s sheer number of water sports, such as volleyball and jet skiing.

3. Many amenities that make your experience amazing can be found all over the Resort, especially with the new mini-golf course opening. This means more hours of fun for you and your friends and family.

4. It’s a stone’s throw away from The Bluffs, which is a breathtaking beachside golf course designed by golfer Greg Norman, and named one of the 100 best golf courses in the world.

5. Its proximity to the Ho Tram and Ho Coc beaches and the Grand Ho Tram Casino also add to its allure and appeal as “the place to be”. After all, what’s the condotel and villa without the beach?

Aside from how close it is to the variety of resorts and hotels that you can choose to visit at your leisure or when you feel like going on a stroll, they are also easily accessible from the nearest city.

The Grand Ho Tram Casino

As an integrated beach resort, Kahuna Ho Tram has a lot of amenities and entertainment facilities to offer you – and there’s a reason why it’s called the country’s “Las Vegas”.

Being the country’s premier gaming destination for locals and expats alike, The Grand Casino offers you a luxurious environment with hundreds of slot machines. It also has close to a hundred tables with different games to try your luck on, such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, and both Stud and Hold’em Poker.

And if you happen to be a premium customer, you get exclusive entry to the Casino’s “Pearl Room”, a VIP area with an extra level of privacy, high limit tables, and complementary food and beverages delivered straight to your own private lounge just for you and your friends.

The Added Benefits of Condo/Villa Investment

For investors who want to invest in real estate, Kahuna Ho Tram has a few more added benefits and incentives than the amazing scenery and complete amenities and entertainment facilities. See more details at http://www.kahunahotramresort.com/ to get the latest news, promos and more information on the benefits you can enjoy if you invest in this luxurious Vietnam resort.

The first of these benefits is a guaranteed return of at least eight percent in the first twenty-four months of your investment into your condotel unit or villa.

Throughout the time that you own the property, the net revenue from the rental is divided with you receiving sixty percent, and Ho Tram receiving forty percent. To extend your ownership to as long as twenty years (if you’re a foreigner), the lease balance is forty-one years.

Another perk that you can get from investing is the 10-year Rental Pool Agreement that can apply to both villas and condotel units.

The agreement will give all investors who agree to this contract 21 days of free occupation in their owned unit every year, throughout their ownership. Moreover, there’s a guarantee of eight percent return on the sale price of their owned unit in the first two years and a 60:40 split (in favour of the lessee) or net rental returns for the next eight years of ownership.

When you want to make the choice to invest in condo units, your best choice is nowhere else but facing the sea in Vung Tau province.

Take the chance and invest in condotel units or a beach villa for sale right away while you still can!

As a homeowner in Singapore, you can troubleshoot and fix basic electrical problems without having to consult an electrician services company or a licensed electrician. These electrical jobs that you will most likely encounter range from replacing light bulbs to covering exposed wires with electrical tape to avoid getting electrocuted or having the wires themselves overheat.

However, while there are electrical problems that you can solve at home, there are also others that should be best left to an electrician services company in Singapore, such as the following:

1. Frequent circuit breaker trips

Having fuses that blow frequently are an indication that your circuits are drawing in more current than they are supposed to, which could lead to potential fire hazards if left unchecked. If you do encounter this problem, switch off the main power and contact a licensed electrician in Singapore for a thorough electrical check-up.

A good electrician will be able to tell you the source of this problem as well as provide you with the necessary replacement fuses and repairs to prevent circuit breaker tripping in the future. However, you also need to take preventive measures yourself – the best way is by simply not crowding the service panel.

A service panel needs a clearance at least thirty inches wide, three feet deep, and six feet eight inches high. To simplify, you can keep this in mind instead: if you can’t place a refrigerator in front of the panel, you don’t have enough working space.

2. Flickering lights

LED lights are a common reason for flickering lights, as they are a popular option to compact fluorescent bulbs. They may last longer than CFL bulb, but do tend to be more expensive at first and tend to flicker. If this is the case, switching to a CFL bulb might be your solution.

However, if the lights continue to flicker even after you’ve replaced the light bulb, the problem might be somewhere within your circuit. Switch off that particular circuit and consult an electrician right away.

3. Having too few outlets or receptacles

Extension cords, though useful, can be inconvenient and ugly to look at. They also create potential tripping, fire hazards, short circuiting at any moment, and even start a chain reaction. Consult an electrician to install more outlets at your home as a safer option.

Dead outlets are also a common problem in older homes, though they may simply be older outlets that have been disconnected from the main circuit.

4. Your electrical works are covered in rust

More specifically, if you start to notice rust and/or moisture on or under your electrical panels, service box, or other delicate electrical works, you need to switch them off and contact an electrician services company right away.

This is a sign of a major deterioration problem that could result in a fire hazard if left unchecked, and all rusty electrical equipment should be replaced with new electrical works that are up to code.

5. Having plugs that won’t stay in the outlet/loose outlets

Outlets have sockets that hold the prongs in the plug, which allow for a good connection. A loose connection is not only annoying, as you would be unable to reliable use that socket, but can also put you at risk for electric shock in the form of electrical discharge (e.g. electric arcs).

This discharge of energy and heat could also start a fire within the wall the socket is installed in, especially if the wall is made of wood. Replacing an outlet should be best left to an electrician.

6. Your electricity bill is rising even though you use less electricity

This might be caused by other problems in your circuiting that could lower energy efficiency at home, such as poor insulation, but it could also be caused by old appliances. If this is the case, be sure to ask your electrician whether the proposed works qualify for energy efficiency rebates.

Taking steps to prevent electrical problems starts with making sure that your electrical works at home are both up to date and up to code. The first thing you can do is to call www.powermax.com.sg from Singapore to conduct a thorough inspection of your electrical works at home and see if there is anything that needs to be fixed.

If you do decide to work on things yourself, keep safety in mind. As much as possible, avoid working with live wires. Identify the circuit where the equipment is connected to before switching off that circuit from the electrical panel.

Another thing to keep in mind is to know which switch goes into which electrical circuit at home. For instance, your living room and kitchen could share the same circuit, or each part of the house with its own light could have their own individual circuits.

To avoid repeatedly turning circuits on or off, look for the electrical blueprints of your home that show which outlets and light bulbs are connected to which circuits. If the circuits are already labeled, this should be easy enough for you.

You should also read the labels on the receptacles and the different types of equipment you’re working with. Terminals for neutral and live wires can be made of different materials, which makes it important that you read them closely to know which wire goes into which terminal.

Always connect wires to their proper terminals. If you feel that you aren’t sure with what you’re doing, call an electrician.

If you are considering upgrading or improving your current traditional circuit-committed telephone network or public switched telephone network, you should not be intimidated by the difficult terms used in describing the technology. In fact, one advantage of VoIP technology is that it’s user-friendly, so you don’t need to be an expert in information technology to enjoy its benefits.

However, you need to be familiar with the basic terms before you look for a VoIP provider in Singapore.

Analog Telephone Adaptor (ATA) – It is a hardware that is responsible for converting the data, audio, and video signals into Internet Protocol or IP packets. These packets are transferred through the Internet. The hardware is used to connect a telephone to another line to allow the use of VoIP for calls.

Audio Response Unit (ARU) – It is a type of computer telephony system that uses voice storage and forwarding.

Bandwidth – This refers to the data that is carried from one point to another within a given time. The bandwidth is measured in 1,000 bits per second or kbps.

Broadband Telephony – Also called IP telephony, it is the communications protocol used to transmit calls on a broadband Internet.

Cloud Communications – Cloud refers to the network or remote servers that are hosted on the Internet. This means that if a company is using cloud VoIP, they are also using a form of hosted VoIP system because the servers are provided and maintained by a Singapore VoIP provider. The word cloud simply means the Internet, which is the host for the storage, management and processing of data used in cloud VoIP.

Codec – The term refers to the conversion of the analog signals to digital signals or vice versa. A software can be set up to compress and decompress the signals.

Data – This is the name for the information sent or all types of traffic sent through a network except for voice.

Data Network – These vary in size and functions, but the data network will create a way for computers to access the nodes or access points to both receive and send packets from different network connections. For example, in an IP PBX telephone system, multiple users can store, access, use, and encrypt data.

IP-PBX or IPBX – IP refers to Internet Protocol, while PBX phone system stands for Private Branch Exchange. Therefore, an IP PBX telephone system is a telephone exchange system in a building or designated are in which the calls are processed within an IP protocol. This means that the traditional telephony or PBX phone system used in the company is upgraded to allow for the use of VoIP in an IP PBX telephone system.

ISP – It stands for Internet service provider, or the third-party company in Singapore that provides the Internet access for both commercial and residential customers. Some ISP also offer additional services such as hosting, fax, and email.

ITSP – It stands for Internet Telephony service provider. Like the ISP, it is a third-party company that provides the means for companies to use their Internet connection to combine both the data and voice infrastructure, creating the VoIP. This type of VoIP is called a hosted PBX or a hosted VoIP system.

Latency – This is the duration the packet takes to get to its destination. The latency is important when transmitting data and voice through VoIP, because delays can cause problems in communication. This is one slight disadvantage when it comes to a hosted VoIP system like the cloud VoIP or hosted PBX because the third-party service provider has control over the technology.

Packet – This refers to the unit of the grouped data which contain the information that needs to be transmitted, the originator and destination, and the synchronization information. Packets are stored and forwarded in the routers.

P2P – It stands for peer-to-peer sharing of bandwidth, files, and other information in two computers.

PBX or PABX – It stands for Private Branch Exchange or Private Automatic Branch Exchange, which are systems that were used to replace traditional telephony. A hosted PBX system uses a private telephone network exchange and has more features than traditional telephony.

PTSN – It stands for public switched telephone network, which is the collection of telephone carriers in both public and private settings as well as local and international networks.

SIP – It means Session Initiation Protocol or the standard protocol that manages, initiates, and terminates peer-to-peer multimedia and communications.

SIP Trunking – This is a type of VoIP solution that utilizes a trunk to connect a VoIP gateway to the Internet. It makes use of the cloud and shared lines or existing Internet connection within the company to combine both data and voice.

Speech Recognition – This is a feature in some hosted VoIP system that allows the user to control applications by speaking.

Store and Forward – The term describes the process of storing messages and the transmission for playback. It is the basis of emails and fax-on-demand, and is also the opposite of real-time communication.

Telephony – It simply refers to the technology or the process of voice communications.

Trunk – It is the circuit that interconnects different switches where several users transmitting several data are managed. One example of a trunk is the PBX or hosted PBX.

VoIP PBX – Also called IP PBX telephone system, it is a telephony switching system for internet calls which also uses IP. It is also connected to the company’s traditional telephone lines to create a private shared network.

VoIP Phone – This is needed when setting up VoIP in your office, so make sure to contact your VoIP provider, so they can provide you with the right VoIP phone to channel your calls through the Internet for your local and international calls.

Wi-Fi Phone – This is another option if you do not have a VoIP phone, and is useful in residential settings where wireless signal is available.

For a better overall customer experience, you have to work an extra mile to exceed your customers’ expectations in terms of communication. Businesses that provide great customer experience have higher customer loyalty rate, and therefore achieve higher sales.

Live chat feature is one of the most efficient ways to be in touch with clients. With this feature, it’s possible to turn interactions with website guests into potentially profitable relationship and, in result, boost your sales reports.

What is this Live Chat Feature?

Live chat is an effective communication feature included in CRM Software from Singapore that allows you to interact with people visiting your online site. This is a very valuable addition to your company website as it allows you to start conversing with potential clients, whether they have concern about your service, interested with your products or just need help navigating around your site.

One best thing about live chat is that it allows you to answer questions and address concerns on the spot and in real time, giving prospects and clients instant gratification. With faster response than email, you will also be able to know whether a visitor is a potential lead that you can pursue or just someone lurking around.

How Live Chat Improve Customer Experience

There are numerous benefits with live chat that have proven to generate leads, meet customer satisfaction and boost customer relationship management. Below, you will find out what live chat can do for the betterment of your overall customer service.

1. Respond to more customers and address more concerns in real time

When customers encounter a problem with your product or service, they want instant solution from you. This is one of the major reasons why consumers turn to live chat whenever they need something from their service provider—to get immediate answers to their questions.

Any delays run the risk of losing profit. In fact, slow response is cited as one of the top three reasons why Singapore consumers leave a certain provider.

By integrating live chat to your CRM system, alongside your CRM software, you can handle three, four, five, six or more clients at a time. You can respond to all of them in seconds, rather than letting them wait for hours to answer an email.
2. Answer questions in a timely manner to eliminate fears and doubts of customers.

With live chat, it’s almost effortless to help visitors and clients to navigate around your site, especially when they are in the hunt for specific products or pages. Therefore, it only makes sense to add the live chat feature to the pages that customers often visit (if not in the entire site), such as the products, pricing and support pages.

With a live chat box, consumers can directly ask you questions about the service or product they are interested in and it will be easy for you to answer them right away, which simplifies the purchasing process. You can enlighten your customer by explaining the differences of different products and provide advice to the customer on which product is the most suitable.

3. Target potential buyers easily.

When mapping out customers with your products or services, do you focus on web analytics and real data, or you make the common mistake of treating buyers like any other buyers, who miss out the ‘how, when and why’ of purchasing decisions?

Using your live chat alongside with the customer relationship management tool you are using will help you easily target customer interests. If the CRM software you are using includes sales management and marketing automation, much better! You can target customers based on your previous conversations and run an automated campaign through email on them, targeting their interests with personalized promos, discounts and contents.

4. Retain current customers and build brand loyalty

A cloud CRM is ideal for the sales team because it lets them handle sales management better, track leads, create deal pipelines, boost accuracy of sales reports and many more. However, that may not be enough to build brand loyalty. Majority of your transactions and profits will generate from clients you already have, and having live chat feature is key to retaining a client.

When your clients see a live chat feature on your company website, they know that they are not dealing with a faceless business in the web. In fact, more consumers here in Singapore tend to stick longer to companies with live chat and can offer immediate support to them. Just the idea that you are always available when they need you is enough to make any customer stick around for longer time.

5. Send transcript of chat to create positive impression.

Some live chat features give you the option to save a conversation, which is called transcript, and to send a copy of it to your prospect or client through email.

By giving consumers the option to have a copy of the transcript of your conversation, they will be able to read the conversation any time they wish, instead of having to call you and ask the same question again. Oftentimes, consumers forget some details and answers to their questions because of so much information handed to them all at once.

With a transcript, they can always revisit their inbox to double check on any information they might have forgotten.

A good CRM software is able to provide you with such feature. If you want a more consumer-based environment of CRM software, contact www.crystaldash.com in Singapore to discuss the most suitable CRM solution for your type of business.

Conclusion

Overall, live chat is a great addition to your business’ cloud CRM system. With such useful feature, your clients get the support they need quickly and you get to speak to them directly.

By integrating live chat on site, you can effortlessly convert visitors into customers and you can keep existing customers satisfied (and loyal) and improve your overall customer satisfaction rates. All these, in result, will help improve your productivity and company credibility.

Because the nose is the dominant feature of a person’s face, the idea of a perfect, symmetrical nose has become important to many people. In a visual society where impressions are made based on appearances alone, a lot of value is placed on the nose profile.

There are a lot of reasons why people seek to alter the way they look by visiting an aesthetic clinic in Singapore. For some people, it could be for the sake of correcting a defect that can either be harmless or harmful (i.e. obstructing breathing, constricting blood vessels, etc.). For others, it could be for aesthetic purposes.

If you’re one of the many people looking to make permanent cosmetic changes to their appearance, you’ve probably heard of the term rhinoplasty. But what exactly is it?

What is Rhinoplasty?

Otherwise known as a nose job, rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure for correcting, reconstructing, or even aesthetically enhancing the nose. This is done by resolving nasal trauma or defects, removing bumps, narrowing or widening nostril widths, or even correcting birth defects and other problems that could affect breathing.

When it comes to aesthetics, rhinoplasty changes the appearance of the nose by straightening the nose bridge or making the tip of the nose look more pointed. In rhinoplasty, the nose is either shaped, sculpted, or elevated according to the patient’s desired shape.

There are a number of cosmetic altering procedures available in many an aesthetic clinic in Singapore that can help achieve this. In both surgeries, either an ears, eyes, nose, and throat, or EENT specialist (also known as an otolaryngologist), or a plastic surgeon will do the procedure.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedure

There are many different types of rhinoplasty procedures, though they generally fall under two main categories: surgical rhinoplasty and non-surgical.

The main difference between surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedure is the method by which the patient’s nose is reconstructed. Surgical rhinoplasty uses instruments such as bone-scraping rasps, scalpels, and metal casts in order to support the healing, and can take several weeks of recovery.

For the non-surgical procedure, rhinoplasty falls into two types of procedures: the nose thread lift and injection of nose fillers. While both do not require the use of scalpels and take as little as fifteen to thirty minutes, both procedures use different methods to achieve their own different enhancement results.

In thread lifting, polydixanone (PDO) threads are inserted under the skin of the nose to raise and support the desired contour of the nose bridge. Meanwhile, injecting nose fillers involves a natural substance (usually hyaluronic acid) that is injected into targeted areas of the nose, usually deep in the subcutaneous layer, to make the nose appear pointed.

While thread lifting and using nose fillers can be undergone separately, they are often paired together in the same session or over the course of multiple sessions.

How to Avoid Bruising Your Fillers

Radiesse, the substance most commonly used in dermal filling procedures, is generally safe and minimally invasive. While there may be bruising and redness involved in the first few days after the procedure, these kinds of side effects usually subside from a few days to a few weeks.

After undergoing the procedure, try to avoid touching your nose as much as possible. This is because the nose fillers from Singapore starts in a liquid form, but will slowly start to act similar to that of the tissue in your nose after a given time.

Another thing you should keep in mind after undergoing the dermal filling procedure is to avoid carrying heavy objects or doing strenuous physical activity, as well as doing anything that could dislodge or move around the gel in the treated areas.

Other things you need to keep in mind are that you should avoid acidic facial products, spas, and saunas for at least one week after the treatment.

Taking Care of Your Thread Lift

While nose threads don’t have the risk of spreading or migration unlike dermal fillers, they do have their disadvantages. For one, they may not always be able to correct uneven surfaces along your nose bridge. They also have more downtime than nasal fillers, with patients often having special tape on their altered noses overnight.

Taking care of a thread lift is also similar to taking care of your dermal fillers to avoid any additional bruising or swelling. Because it can take days for the nose threads to settle, side effects such as redness, swelling, and bruising can still occur within this time.

This means that you should avoid anything that will increase blood pressure and flow to your nasal capillaries and arteries, which include staying away from alcohol or doing strenuous activities such as exercise.

You should also use sunscreen to offer protection for the nasal skin. Ideally, you should use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or more. Remember to ask your attending physician as to what brand of painkillers you can take to relieve the initial pain.

On another note, if you are looking to remove some unwanted fat, coolsculpting can help you.

CoolSculpting Singapore is a service provided by many clinics that uses cryolipolysis, a revolutionary technique that uses extreme cold to eliminate fat cells in the body. This means that there are no needles or surgery involved and should have no downtime at all.

Patients can get back to their usual daily activities immediately after the coolsculpting at Singapore treatments with each session lasting usually from about thirty minutes to an hour. Noticeable changes will start to appear within two to fifteen weeks.

Conclusion

Assessment is still needed by an attending physician in order to determine whether a patient is eligible to undergo a certain cosmetic procedure or which kind of cosmetic procedure to best enhance his/her appearance.

Even though the procedures are safe, risks could still occur post-procedure as the body adjusts to these cosmetic alterations. If you do happen to have your nose after the procedure, consider visiting your aesthetic clinic as soon as possible.

Be sure to approach a reputable aesthetic clinic in Singapore for only the best and safest rhinoplasty and cosmetic procedures, as well as how to take care and maintain them throughout their lifespan.

Today’s fast-paced world can be hard to keep up with, regardless of whether you are a professional or a student, or whether you’re married or single. The increased amount of stress of living today can affect a person’s mental health, which could compound pre-existing mental health disorders.

As such, taking care of your mental health is important, and you should seek professional help if any concerns should arise. There are two types of specialists trained in diagnosing and treating these types of problems and disorders: the psychologist and the psychiatrist.

Psychologists and psychiatrists often work together in a psychology center to improve patient’s well-being and have many similarities between their fields, and these fields can even overlap at times. However, there are also many crucial differences between them, one of the biggest being the nature of their treatment and their areas of specialization.

Education and Treatment
The biggest difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist in Singapore, and this applies across the world, is their educational background.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has had at least one year of medical internship, and has completed the minimum required years of residency when it comes to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders.

A psychiatrist’s treatment is more technical in nature, as the evaluation of the patient’s mental condition usually includes the prescription of medicines, such as antidepressants, in order to treat diagnosed chemical imbalances in the patient’s brain.

Meanwhile, a recommended child psychologist in Singapore has a doctorate in the field of psychology, which is the study of the human mind and human behavior. Unlike a psychiatrist, a recommended psychologist is trained more towards giving different psychological tests, from IQ to personality tests.

Marriage counselling is typically the domain of a psychologist, although if the source of the tension is some mental disorder in one party, a psychiatrist will have to be involved. The best psychologist is one who also has a background on psychiatry.

The key difference to note here is that while both psychologists and psychiatrists specialize in the mental well-being of a patient, the latter is the one that gives medications to treat mental illness, while the former treats a client with regular counseling.

Whom Should You Consult?
While it can be difficult to choose, one thing to take note is that symptoms of severe mental illness that can evidently affect a person’s motor skills and functionality should warrant a consultation with a psychiatrist. Typically, for clients looking for marriage counselling, the services of psychologist should be sought, not that of a psychiatrist.

Neurochemical imbalances in an individual’s brain can either be genetic or caused by other factors, which cannot be fixed only by changes in behavioral patterns. These serious mental conditions require medication that can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist.

In situations where a person’s mental health is not clearly compromised enough that an individual is still physically able to do their daily tasks, a psychologist is probably the better choice. This is because there is a likely chance that a person’s problem is behavioral in nature and may only need regular counseling to correct, not drugs. For children with behavioural problem, a child psychologist is the best professional to consult.

More on Psychologists and Counseling
Psychologists focus on psychological treatment. They study how a person thinks and behaves, as well as why a person would think or act a person thinks and acts. They examine the causes of said thought processes and behaviors as well as the different environmental factors that can influence how these behaviors can manifest.

Psychologists are more inclined to see people that can be effectively helped with this kind of treatment. Your psychologist, then, is the best person capable of handling problems in your or your partner’s behavior and how certain behavioral instances can be corrected.

When it comes to disputes that have already affected the relationship between married couples to a significant degree, relationship counselling is usually the best recourse that the couple can take in order to resolve both past and current grievances that they wish to address.

Relationship Counselling: What it is and What to Expect
In Singapore, relationship counselling, also called couples therapy, may not be an experience that you look forward to. The idea of therapy itself can be terrifying to you and be even more terrifying when you’re doing it with another person.

However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Going to psychology center and undergoing relationship counselling is in many ways beneficial to you and your partner, with the initial dread dispelled once you go through the ordeal. In some instances, couples even leave the therapy sessions with a renewed intimacy and a better willingness to be more open and understanding towards their partner. In some cases where there has been prolonged emotional tension, and even some psychological abuse, it may also be necessary to send the couple’s children to a child psychologist.

To start, you don’t need a referral to be able to schedule an appointment, nor should you bring anything. The first session is where the ground rules and boundaries are usually set, where you and your partner can talk with the therapist about confidentiality, as well as other policies, be it on the methodologies used or on cancelling appointments.

Once all this is covered, the psychologist will generally take a brief history from you and your partner that covers the issues and problems that led you to counseling. For instance, these questions could sound like:

• What issues have you experienced/are you experiencing in your relationship?
• When (and how) did these issues start becoming a problem?
• What steps have you and your partner taken to resolve these issues?
• What are your expectations about marriage counselling?

Sessions are typically conducted as a combination of different tasks, from setting you and your partner up to feel comfortable, to developing trust with the psychologist. Professional and ethical counselors or psychologists will take steps to make sure that any sensitive issues that may be difficult to discuss can be done so safely and comfortably.

Congratulations on getting your first bicycle! Now that you have one, it’s time to start gearing up for all those future afternoons seeing the sights while pedaling all over Singapore.
Here are four things you need to know to start pedaling like a pro:

1. If you can walk, you can ride a bike.
Leaning how to ride a bicycle is easier than you think – all it takes is a little practice and a willingness to take the time (a few hours at worst) to learn.

If you’re having trouble with getting your feet on the ground, adjust the saddle height. This keeps you from falling by allowing your feet to reach the ground enough to stop and balance yourself.

2. Always have spare parts on hand.
Whether it’s a tire, a whole rim, an extra chain, or an extra set of brake pads, having these in handy does a lot to minimize the hassle of having to look for replacements from your nearby bicycle shop in Singapore, especially for customized bikes or hybrids.

When it comes to bicycle accessories, be sure to get ones that are best suited to the kind of cycling that you’re planning on doing. For instance, there’s no need to attach a basket on the front of your mountain bike or dirt bike, as chances are that whatever’s in there might simply bounce and fall off because of bumpy terrain.

The same could be said for you. Cycling can work up your muscles and tire you out, so always be sure to carry a towel and a bottle of water whenever you pedal.

3. Traffic safety!
Use the sidewalk (or the bicycle lane) when cycling on the road. As much as possible, stick to the sides to minimize any chances of you running into angry drivers, metaphorically and literally.

Follow traffic signals and pedestrian lanes! As a cyclist, you fall somewhere between a vehicle and a pedestrian, which means you have to give priority to both.

4. Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.
This is especially important when you’re planning on off-road biking in Singapore, as rough terrain can easily wear out certain parts of your bike. The same can be said for the brakes (a simple way for knowing when to replace them is by checking if there are no grooves on the brake pads).

But this can also apply to ordinary bikers as a precautionary measure. Even though a bicycle shop is just a few minutes away, you would find that constantly replacing parts and bicycle accessories can be a bit of a hassle.

Fortunately, looking for a bicycle shop is easy in Singapore, and you can even order from a wide range of spare parts, bicycle accessories, and even an entire bike. The best part? You can even order online and have your order delivered right to your doorstep.

Taking care of your bike is really easy to do. All you need to clean it is a good rag, an old toothbrush, soap, and water. As long as you dry it thoroughly, you can keep your bike looking good as new for a long time.

Pet grooming is an important part of raising a healthy, happy dog, but it is not simply just bathing, shaving, and trimming the fur. There are six dog coat types with different care needs that must be met in order for the dog to look its best.

The six dog coat types are the following: smooth, wiry, curly, long, hairless, and double coat. The last type is usually the most difficult to deal with, especially if the dog has a particularly thick undercoat. You must not attempt to trim or shave the hair yourself because the dog will be prone to sunburn if not done properly. So, how do you groom a double-coated dog? That’s where a professional pet grooming service can come to the rescue.

Breeds with Double Coats

Some of the popular canine breeds with double coats include the following: collie, Belgian malinois, golden retriever, labrador retriever, akita, husky, Alaskan malamute, chow chow, toy pomeranian, shiba inu, corgi, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, terriers, shih tzu, Samoyed, and most spaniels. If your dog is a mixed breed, you can ask your veterinarian to identify what type of coat it has.

Never Shave a Double-Coated Dog

It’s not a good idea to shave your dog’s coat at all unless it has to undergo surgery or if the fur is severely matted that even trimming or brushing won’t work. Although some hair will grow back, the texture and thickness are altered, while others will have bald spots for the rest of its life. What’s more, they could also develop sunburns, dandruff, and scaling. Even during the hot days in Singapore, your pet’s double coat is as helpful as when it’s exposed to cold temperatures.

Bathing a Double-Coated Dog

To groom pet with a double-coat, start by brushing the entire body to remove tangles before bathing. Pet grooming in Singapore should be ideally done every 12 weeks, but you need to bathe the dog at home once a week if it’s molting. If you’re taking the dog to a pet groomer, make sure that he/she knows how to care for a double-coated breed. Observe the process and ask about the products used on the dog such as the contents of the shampoo. Avoid applying a conditioner for a dog with this type of fur.

Drying a Double-Coated Dog

After rinsing thoroughly, the dog’s hair is towel-dried before a hair dryer is used. Drying should be done with the consideration of the coat growth. Once the coat is dry, the groomer has to brush the hair with a slicker brush first, then a wide-toothed comb. Again, the direction of the strokes should be based on the coat growth and the lines of the body. Before the dog leaves the grooming table, the staff should check the dog for deposits on the eyes and ears.

Brushing a Double-Coated Dog

Before brushing to remove the mats and tangles, spray a light mist on the coat to prevent breaking the hair shaft. Brush your dog’s hair before groom pet to remove tangles on areas where matting is common, such as the tail, stomach, chest, and the backs of its legs. Remember that double-coated dogs shed their coats twice annually, that is why you need to remove the loose undercoat with a brush.

Keep the Ears Clean and Dry

Don’t forget to inspect the ears for any sign of infection especially after pet grooming. Regular grooming can sometimes cause irritation on the ears, that is why you should clean it once a month with a veterinarian-approved solution and cotton balls.

If you’re not a professional player or a tennis coach yourself, then picking the best coach for your aspiring little tennis player may become rather challenging for you.

It’s no secret that tennis is a very technical sport and a great coach plays an important role in the preparation of a good tennis player. Do not make the mistake of honing your child’s talent the wrong way by sending him to an uncompetitive coach. Here are some tips to ensure your child is getting the best tennis lessons in Singapore from the right tennis pro.

Choose a coach with enthusiastic and competitive personality.

You want a tennis coach who is energetic, enthusiastic and someone who constantly challenges your child. Consistent challenge will keep your little one interested and excited to learn tennis. The best instructor will always be able to find fun ways to challenge young players, so make sure to look for one with tennis coaching experience with junior players in Singapore.

Make sure the instructor matches your child’s personality.

It’s easy to find the most qualified tennis coach in Singapore, but finding the right one who can get along with your child on a personal level requires more time and effort. A coach is not just a coach, but also a mentor that will help home your child’s attitude towards the sport, which can possibly make or break him in the future.

Check with your child if he wants private or group lessons.

Some kids want to learn and play with their friends, while others feel self-conscious around others especially if they are still beginners. Try out both settings for your child’s tennis lessons to see what environment he prefers.

There’s no need to go for the most expensive trainer.

You do not need the most expensive tennis coaching for your child. The most important thing is that the coach is able to impart the fundamental lessons to your child. However, if your child looks at tennis as a recreational sport, then the feeling of comfort while training with the instructor must be the topmost priority.

Pick a coach with extensive experience on child training.

Kids naturally love games. That’s a given. So you’ll want a trainer who has extensive experience with training children who are just getting into the sport for the first time. One of the most important tennis lessons is to enjoy your time while playing in the court. Implementation of other games and knowing when to do so helps teach your child on the application of the fundamentals of the sport in a seamless manner.

Try asking recommendations from other parents.

Last tip but certainly not the least, try asking other parents if they were satisfied with the training the coach have provided to their youngsters. Most tennis instructors will be more than willing to provide you with references. Positive feedbacks from previous clients go a long way in helping you decide whether a prospect coach fits your little player’s needs.

Hopefully, these tips will help you make an educated decision for your child’s tennis coaching needs. Whether your child is playing the sport for fun or aiming to be the next Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, there’s a right coach out there for your child.